The Amerks were the AHL's version of hockey in 3D: depleted, defeated and demoralized.

So what happens? They win three straight, including the improbable rally of the decade in Toronto on Saturday evening.

Now, with six games to go, they're in control of when their season ends. They sit eighth in the Western Conference with six games to play.

"There might have been some disbelief (last week)," center Tim Schaller admitted, "but there had to be that one turning point where we proved to ourselves we could do it -- and the last few games was it."

Here's the four teams in the battle for the final two playoff spots in the West:

7. Oklahoma City -- 77 points/5 games remaining

8. Rochester -- 76 points/6 games remaining

9. Rockford -- 75 points/6 games remaining

10. Charlotte -- 75 points/4 games remaining.

For the Amerks, a playoff berth now seems probable instead of unrealistic. Adam was sent back to the Amerks today. Goalie Andrey Makarov and defenseman Mark Pysyk were recalled by the Sabres, but both should return before the Amerks next game: home Friday against Toronto.

Then the cavalry will be on the way for the final three games, once the Sabres play their finale on Sunday. Larsson, Deslauriers and Hackett will come down, and so, too, will Ruhwedel and Lieuwen if they recover from a concussions.

But first things first. The Amerks say they're well aware how quickly the outlook can change. They saw it go from bad to good; they know the reverse can also happen.

As invigorating as Saturday's 4-3 victory at Toronto may have been -- the Amerks scored three times in the final four minutes, including twice in a 17-second span in the final minute -- it really was just one victory.

"Obviously it was a big two points but we have to keep moving forward," captain Kevin Porter said. "You can't look back at that game."

Schaller scored the first three goals in the rally against the Marlies. He entered the game with just four goals, meaning he very likely was forced to declare "new-found confidence" to customs authorities when the Amerks bus re-entered the U.S.

"That was the most fun I've had in a game in a while," Schaller said.

Coach Chadd Cassidy said he doesn't want players examining the lineup -- or thinking they'll become an even better team when the reinforcements arrive.

"It doesn't matter who's in the lineup, it has to be effort and execution," Cassidy said. "We've had really good lineups (earlier this season) that haven't played well."

The victory over the Marlies should provide one long-lasting lesson: hard work may very well be rewarded.

The Amerks trailed 3-0 after two periods but they believed they had been the better team. "I thought we outplayed them the whole game," Porter said.

Said Varone, who scored the winning goal: "We were losing 3-0 by no fault of anyone's."

Thus, they essentially just kept playing the same way, and building more momentum with every shift that resulted in scoring chances and offensive zone time.

"Sometimes you sneak one like that out and you don't deserve it," Cassidy said. "That wasn't the case. We definitely played well enough to win."

The trick now is to maintain the momentum for this weekend's three games.

"I don't know too many guys," Varone said, "who want to play in December over April and May."